Baseball game board



Oct. 9, 1928.

H. E. PICKETT BASEBALL GAME BOARD Filed April 14, 1927 5 Sweets-Sheet 1 H. E. PICKETT BASEBALL GAME BOARD 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed April l4, 1927 Oct. 9, 1928. 1,687,180

H. E. PICKETT BASEBALL GAME BOARD Filed April 14, 1927 3' Sheets-Sheet 3 that the pitcher may,

skill and wits of the players arematched Patented Oct. 9, 1928. V

UNITED, STATES HERBERT E. 'PICKET'L'OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

- BASEBALL. GA E am).

Application filed April.14,

This invention relates to games and has particular reference to a game apparatus for playing baseball. i

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus whereby the game of baseball may be played on a minature scale and under substantially the same rules as employed in the outdoor game, and wherein the outcome of the game will depend largely upon the skill of the players, rather than upon chance.

Another object is to provide a gameapparatus of this character which shall be constructed and arranged in such manner at will, throw fast balls, slow balls, or curves, and the batter in turn may, at will, strike at the ball with full effort or hunt or with any intermediate effort and thus closely simulate the pitching and batting practice commonly employed 7 in outdoor games. In this manner the game is rendered particularly interesting as the against each other and the game is in no sense dependent upon chance in the sense that dice or similar chance devices are used.

A further object is to provide agame apparatus of the aforesaid characterwhich shall be relatively small and compact so that it may be supported on a table and be played by two or more players.

A till further object is to provide a game device embodying the aforementioned. features which shall be simple in construction,

- inexpensiveto manufacture and which shall be easyto operate.

Vith these and the invention may other objects in view, be stated toconsist in the various novel features of construction and arrangement or combination, all of which will be fully described hereinafter and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawingsforming' part of this application: f v .Fig. 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus embodying my invention; v

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of two of the field pieces used in playing the game;

Fig. 3 is a similar view of a still further type field piece used; I p

Figs. 4 and 5 are transverse sectional; 'views taken respectively on the lines and 5--5 of Fig. 1; I

Fig. 6 is a front elevation of the batting device;

Fig. 7 is a detail front elevation of a the sides and ends the bottom plate 1.

1927. Serial No. 183,698.

target employed during certain plays in the game.

Fig. 8 is Fig. 9 is a fragmentary detail top viewof the batting corner; and Fig. 10 is a fragmentary having a bottom 1, sides 2 and ends 3, such elements being reinforced at their meeting ends or at the corners defined by such ends,-

by posts 4 which rise f om, the basel at three of the'corners and terminates'lightly below the upper edges of the sides 2 and ends 3 for apurpose to be referred to hereinafteri The other corner is reinforced by a post l as clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 4, which depends downwardly from the'upper edges of and terminates short of Arranged directly above the bottom plate 1 is' an inclined floor 5 which slopesfrom each corner defining first andthird bases to a central line intersecting second and home bases,'as shown in 5, and this floor is also inclined injits entirety from the corv p a transverse vsectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 1;

ATE or o ricE.

(I0 plan side elevation) thereof, as -.v1ewed from theleft-hand side ner defining second base tojward the pitchers box, as shown in Fig- 4. 'The function of this floor, as will become more apparent hereinafter, is to return the ball to the corner below the pitchers box by gravity.

Secured directly above but spaced from floor 5 is-a horizontally disposed platform '6.

which serves as the field or diamond, and upon which the game is played. As shown particularly in is located below the upper edges of the sides 2 and ends 3 so that the latter may act Figs. 4 and 5, this platform as back stops for a ball pitched or batted,

and thus serve to confine the ball to the box-like structure; By referring to Fig 1,

it will be'noted that the platform form ng the field or diamond is recessed along the]; edges normally abutting the sides and ends of the box as indicated at 8,. 9, 10 and 11, thus permitting the ball, under certa n'conditions of play, to drop" through these recesses and onto the inclined floor 5 where it will be returned by gravity to the corner below the pitchers box. In ractic'e, I prefioo era'bly form this platform with a slight concave surface so that when a ball is'pitche'd indicated at 33.

slowly or rolls slowly from; the .pitchers box towards home plate it wlll travel 1n" a slightly curved path, due to the resultant force from the inertia of its normal directlon of travel and the force of gravity acting thereon by virtue of the slight concavity aforementioned. This concavity is, however, preferably of a very slight degree so that a fast ball will not be affected thereby.

A pitching device islocated in one corner of the bo-xand consists of an arm 13 pivoted intermediate its ends. at 1 1 to the platform '6. One end of this arm has connected thereto a rubber or elastic band15 which in turn is detachably connected at its opposite end to a hook 16 that is fastened to post 4?. The elastic band 15 is formed with a knot 18 intermediate its ends so that under certain conditions, the'tension on arm 13 may be increased by securing the knotted portion of the band over the hook 16. The opposite end of the pitching arm is recessed at 19 to receive therein the ball to be pitched. Cooperating with the pitching arm, to determine the type and direction of the ball to be pitched, is a cam plate 20 which is adjustably and eccentrically pivoted at 21 to the platform 6 by a screw and wing nut 22. This cam plate is preferably formed with two sides 23 and 24 defining substantially a right angle, and with a rounded toe portion 25 connecting the ends of such sides. As indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, the cam plate is adjustable about its pivot to limit the swing or throw of the pitching. arm When retracted manually and released under the tension of the elastic band .15. The specific operation of the pitching arm will be described more fully hereinafter.

Located in the diagonally opposite corner of the box is a batting device consisting of an arm 28 which is pivoted between ,the spaced knuckles of'a bifurcated block 29 that is fastened to the platform 6. As clearly shown in Fig. 6, this batting arm is pivot-ally connected to. the block and platform by a bolt 30 extending therethrough and fitted with a nut 31. The arm 28 is formed at its outer end with an enlarged portion 32 that extends below the arm proper and is of awidth substantially equal to the home plate A spring 34: fastened at one end to block 29 and normally engaged at its. other end ,with the arm 28 tends normally to urge. said arm toward the pitchers box. The arm is retracted against the tension of the spring by a flexible cord or wire 35 that is fastened at one end to the outer endof thearnnwhile the opposite end of. the flexible element extends through an opening 36 in the end wall 3 and is fitted with a knob or handle 37. The upper surface of the block 29 may be recessed to receive a plurality of balls 38 which serve as players or runners while the game is being played and thus provide a readily accessible place therefor. A vertically disposed barrier 40 "projects from end wall 3 between walls to a pointadjacent the pitchers box whereuponit is deflected diagonally across the corner forming the pitchers box as indicated at 4:2 in Fig. 1. Each of the three corners e is formed with a slight depression 43 anda similar depression is formed sub which form. players. This trough stantially' midway of the diagonal position Q 412. These depressions form the three bases and home base for the players. Slidably mounted along the innervertical wall of this trough is a tape 44 whichis provided with pairs of laterally projecting blocks 45 that are adapted to receive therebetween a ball 38 constituting a player. The tape with player or players in position therein may be advanced around the bases, step by step, manually by grasping the sameat the station 46 where it will be noted that the side walls of the trough are recessed to afford a convenient grasp of the tapebetween the thumb and forefinger and permit limited horizontal movement. v

Depending from the diagonal portion 42 of the trough is a wall 47 having a rectangular recess 48 therein to expose the recessed end 19 of the pitching arm, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. Mounted adjacent the upper side edges of this wall are pivoted levers 49 and 50, each of which swings over a chart. The

chart 51 is divided into three divisions to represent strikes, while the chart 52 is divided into four divisions to indicate balls, and the levers are n'ioved. manually to facilitate keeping account of the balls and strikes of each player at bat. I

In order to indicate certain plays, I provide markers in the form of blocks 54:, one'of which is labelled II and the other III. These markers may be placed by the pitcher on any of the stations 55 formed on the diamond adjacent the pitchers box, and a ball striking the same will indicate a hit, but I if the block is knocked over by the batsman, the player is entitled to a two or three base hlt, depending upon the particular block knocked over. A smaller marker 57 is also used and may be placed on either of the two stations 58 and this marker when knocked by a batted ball will indicate home run.

i heretofore.

In use, two or. any number of players up to eighteen may play the: game. than two players participate, a captain is chosen and he may assign duties the batting and pitching order. erable also that each player stay at bat until he is put out and also that no one player may pitch more than one inning in succession.

The sides having been chosen, the pitcher places a ball, such as a marble, .in the recess 19 of the pitching arm, having adjusted the tension of elastic band 15 and the position of cam plate 20. The arm 13' is now retracted manually and released, whereupon the ball will travel toward home plate. If the cam It is prefisadjusted prop'erlythe ball may be made to travel directly over the home plate or to:

either side thereof, atthe will of the player. The speed of the tension of elastic band 15, and'by substituting various weight elastic bands major, minor or bush league games maybe played, depending on the proficiency of the player's. Curves may also be pitched, as explained Meanwhile the batsman has'retracted the batting arm '28 by pulling on string and as the. ball travels over the plate he may strikeat it by releasing the string at the. proper instant.

outwardly on string 35 to varying degrees,

he may slug at the ball or bunt, as he desires. When the batsman hits the ball or receives four balls, he advances a player 38 along the runway from home toward first base in the manner previously described. The depressions 4-3 runner to stop automatically as the blocks 15 open slightly when they round the ,cor- 11ers of the. trough. At great speed, however, it is possible to overrunbase.

To put a man out at first, the defense must wait until the ball has rolledby gravity to the corner beneath thepitc'hers box, where he reaches through an aperture (Fig. 5) and picks up the ball and endeavors to place it in the first base depression before the runner reaches it. 'Of course, when bunting and the ball does notroll off the diamond, the defense may field it di rectly thereon. To put a man out at second base, the defense -must shift the pitching cam adjustment to the shortest axis which will enable him to throw to a h-ingedly mounted target 61 mounted on the first base line. If this .ishit before the runner reaches second base the runner is out. To put a man out at third base, the same procedure is followed as at first base. 'To put a man out at home, the pitcher must throw the ball by means of the pitching arm across the home plate before the runner reaches home base. I I

Any ball hitting one of the foul wing markers 40 and rolling beneath theplatformv if however, the

or diamond is a foul ball;

When more and arrange v by gravity ball is controlled by the Byv pulling at the bases'cause the stealing base,

caught foul retiring the runner.-

ball rolls out upon the diamon'dafterstrik Y I A ball pitched and passing the batterenters an opening 65 in'the platform or di-amon-d 6 at the catchers corner. and returns pitchers box,-the latter opening being for convenience termed the 'pitc hers glove. Stealing-'base'may occur byarunner starting with the throw to the 'next'base before the ballr'eaches the pitchers glove and istouched to the base stolen. I Y

'A small marker. similar to that shown in Fig. 3 may be placed in the batters box 66 by the batting side to simulate a player and if this marker is hit and knocked over'by a pitched ball, the player takes his base. A ball hitting block 29 is a wild pitch.

When running bases, the marbles used as runners must be in the depression indicating the base or the out with the ball.

this is, of box; When there is'more than one man on base, at IeaSt'one ma-nmust be on the base and endeavoring to get to the opening 60 beneath the defense may touch them A runner is allowed to out of the depression "on secondbase only as course, directly over the= p'itcher"s proper while the others may be left in the/ running trough without danger of being put. I

out. p The pitcher indi'catesthe balls and strikes on the indicators l9 and-50 on the front; of

the pitchers box unless the players agree to have'a third person act as umpire. In this connection it will be noted, by referring particularly to Fig. 1, that I preferably provide scales'or charts 70 and 71 alongthe inner" 42' adjacent the ed e of the trough portion lev ers 49 and 50 respectively so that the 'itcher may conveniently indicatethe strikes.

looking at thecharts 51- and balls withou and 52.

It will be advanced'around the bases by grasping the remembered that the runner is tape between thefingers at the station 46' which requires a certain degree to the length of the-opening in the trough wall, and this degree of skill closely resembles the ability'of the runner as such, some runners being faster than others while some players can manipulate their fingers fast-er than others. H j

, The pitcher may rearrange the pieces 543 and 57 to meet the battingstyle of the particular batter, as .in the outdoor game. That is, if the particular batter usually hits to right field, the pitcher may place the pieces in the left field position and thereby lessen the chances of a two or'three base hit or of a home run. I

of skill due 7 In some instances, as for example when the batter may pull back on the flexible member 35 and unknown to the pitcher, engage the knob 37 in adepression 1. A game apparatus of the character de- IO-scribed comprising a box-like structure havinga bottom, sides and ends,.a platform defining a baseball field arranged intermediate saidbottom and the top edges of said sides and ends, said platform being provided With an opening at the catchers box, and an opening intermediate adjacent bases, a pitching device in one corner of said structureand a batting device in the diagonally opposite corner, and means disposed below said platform for returning to the pitchers corner the balls'passing through said openings.

2. A game apparatus of the character scribed comprising a substantially rectangular box-like structure, a platform arranged Within said structure intermediate the top and bottom edges thereof and defining a baseball field, pitching and batting devices carried bysaid platform, said platform being formed with a plurality of recesses therein to afford communication therebene'ath, and a floor arranged beneath said platform, said floor being disposed on an angle whereby a ball dropped thereon willroll by gravity to a point adjacent said pitching devices 3. A game apparatus of the character described comprising a substantially rectangular box-like structure, a platform arranged within said structure and defining a baseball field, pitching and batting devices carried by 1 said platform, said platform being slightly concave and provided with recesses therein to afford communication therebeneath, and a floor arranged beneath said platform, said floor being sloped from the outer marginal edges to a central diagonal line intersecting second and home bases and also sloped in its entirety from a'point be= neath home base to a point adjacent second base.

4. A game apparatus of the character describedcomprising a substantially rectangular box-like structure, a baseball field arranged within said structure and carrying pitching and batting devices, a runway formed along'substantially the perimeter of said structure and defining a path for a runher, and an endless belt disposed in operative relation to said runway and having spaced projections for detachably receiving a runner therebetween, said projections being adapted to separate when rounding .a corner of said structure and eject the runner therefrom.

5. A game apparatus of the character described comprising a substantially rectangu-- lar box-like structure, a. baseball field ar-.

ranged Within said structure and carrying pitching and batting devices, a trough formed I along substantially the perimeter of said belt arranged in operative relation to said trough and havin a pocket for the reception of a runner, said belt be1n adapted to auto-.

matically eject the runner from said pocket upon passing a depression in said trough-.

6, A game. apparatus of the character described comprising a substantially rectangular box-like structure, a baseball field arranged Within said structure and carrying pitching and batting devices a"r'a,ngtd v ad jacent diagonally opposite corners of said" Fill structure, a trough arranged substahtially along the perimeter of said structure but exvancing a runner along said trough, and a plate depending from said trough in front of said pitching device, said plate having'an opening therein to permit a ball to pass from said pitching device to said batting-device 7. In a game of the character described, a

pitching device comprising a horizontally disposed arm pivoted intermediate its ends, to swing in a plane parallel With: and adjacent to the plane of the game board, one

end ofsaid arm having a recess thereinfor being enlarged to, define a striking portion, a flat leaf spring engaged with one side of said arm and normally urging the same in a direction about said-pivot to strike at aball,

and a flexible elementconnected to said arm and adapted, when pulled, to place said arm under the tension of vsaid yielding means.

9. A game apparatus of the character described comprising a substantially box like structure, a baseball field within said structure, a batting device in one corner ofsaid structure and a pitching device in the diagonally opposite corner thereof, said field having openings therein to permit a ball to pass therethrougn by gravity, means for automatically returning the balls passing through saidopenings to the pitchers cor-' ner, and a trough extending substantially along the perimeter of Sttltl StlUCtUlQfiIlCl defining a path fora runner.

10. A game apparatus ofthe'character described comprisinga substantially rectangular'boxllke structure, a baseball field tending diagonally across the corner con taming said pitching device, means for ad-' i as batting device comprising an arm pivoted for swinglng movement, one end of said arm arranged within said structure and carrying pitching and batting devices, a runway formed along substantially the perimeter of said structure and defining a path for a runner, and a flexible element disposed in operative relation to said runway for moving a runner therealon'g, said element being formed with lateral projections arranged in spaced relation and adapted to receive a spherical marker therebetween.

11. In a game of the character described,

a pitching device comprising an arm pivoted to swing in a horizontal plane adgacent the c v o I ception of an ob ect to be thrown, ylelding means connected to said arm and adapted when energized to move said arm to throw said object, means for varying the tension of said yielding means, and an adjustable abutment disposed in operative relation'to said "ame board and having a recess for the re arm. and adapted to limit the swing thereof in a horizontal plane during its throwing' stroke.

12. A game apparatus .of the character described comprising; a substatially rectangular boxlike structure, a base ball field arrangedvwithin said structure and carrying pitching and batting devices, a channel shaped runway having a bottom and sides formed along substantiallythe perimeter of said structure and' defining a path for a runner, and a flexible element disposed in operative relation to said runway for moving a runner therealong, a side of said runwaybeingrecessed to expose said flexible element and thereby permit the operator to grasp said flexible element and move the same along said runway.

In testimony WhereofI afiix my signature.

HERBERT E. PICKETT. 

